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Clusters of Autoimmune Liver Disease Suggest Environmental Trigger

Reuters Staff  |  

Commenting on the findings in the statement, Dr. Marco Marzioni from Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy, a member of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), says this study is important because autoimmune diseases of the liver are infrequent but have an increasing incidence overall.

“However, their triggers are as yet unknown. Environmental factors have been considered, but no solid data have emerged so far. The study presented today has sufficient scientific rigor to reinforce the idea that environmental exposure may play a major role in triggering autoimmune diseases of the liver,” says Dr. Marzioni.

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Reference

  1. Ala A, Stanca CM, Bu-Ghanim M, et al. Increased prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis near Superfund toxic waste sites. Hepatology. 2006 Mar;43(3):525–31.

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